[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 235 (Thursday, December 7, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62762-62763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29774]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 638

[Docket No. 950725190-5257-02; I.D. 120195A]


Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico; Wild Live Rock 
Fishery

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the fishery for wild live rock in the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico. This action is necessary to 
prevent exceeding the quota for 1995.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective 12:01 a.m., December 5, 1995 through December 
31, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgia Cranmore, 813-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Live rock in the EEZ is managed under the 
Fishery Management Plan for Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico 
(FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council and is implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 638 under 
the authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
    Section 638.26(d)(1) established a quota of 500,000 lb (226,796 kg) 
for the fishing year that began January 1, 1995. Section 638.26(d)(2) 
requires the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), to close 
the wild live rock fishery in the Gulf EEZ when the quota is reached, 
or is projected to be reached.
    The AA has determined that the quota will be reached on December 4, 
1995. Accordingly, the wild live rock fishery in the Gulf EEZ is closed 
effective 12:01 a.m., local time, December 5, 1995, and 

[[Page 62763]]
will not reopen until January 1, 1996. During the closure, wild live 
rock may not be harvested or possessed in the Gulf EEZ, and the 
purchase, barter, trade, or sale of wild live rock in or from the Gulf 
EEZ is prohibited. The latter prohibition does not apply to wild live 
rock that was harvested prior to December 5, 1995.

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR 638.26(d) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

    Dated: December 1, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-29774 Filed 12-1-95; 4:55 pm]
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